Paderborn near flawless in debut
Washington County’s Jax Branco hangs his head after lossing to Germany at the Pony League World Series on Sautrday, August 7, 2016.
Germany’s Bryce Rearick beats Washington County’s Austin Banasick to second base at the Pony League World Series Saturday.
Washington County’s Michael Parrish makes it back to first base safely before Germany’s Bryce Rearick can make a tag at the Pony League World Series Saturday.
Paderborn, Germany, had many reasons to celebrate after defeating host Washington County, 12-0, Saturday at the Pony League World series.
After the public address announcer read the starting lineups for the Pony League World Series game between Paderborn, Germany, and Washington County, the international team introduced themselves to those in attendance at Lew Hays Pony Field in a more informal manner.
“Deutschland,” they yelled in unison as they broke their huddle.
From that point on, the Paderborn players remained loud, chanting, singing and, at times, screaming support for each other from the dugout as they worked in the batter’s box. Unfortunately for host Washington County, the guests’ bats made just as much noise.
Three straight singles by the European Zone representatives loaded the bases to start the first inning, setting up an offensive bludgeoning that ended after Germany batted around the order, leaving the score 8-0 in their favor by the time Washington County recorded a third out. The hosts didn’t recover, failing to record a hit en route to a five-inning 12-0 mercy rule defeat.
As it turns out, all the runs were unneeded as Paderborn’s Elian Gentner’s performance was nearly perfect. He threw five, no-hit shutout innings. Only two Washington players reached base against him, both on walks in the fourth inning.
It is the ninth time in Pony League World Series history that someone has thrown a no-hitter in a shortened game.
“He had us off-balance,” said Washington manager Connor Semple. “If you throw one pitch for a strike, you’re doing good, if you throw two pitches for a strike you’re doing great, and if you throw three pitches for a strike you’re almost unhittable.”
Gentner had both his fastball and curveball working well to make short work of the Washington County hitters. Early on, Gentner said he struggled some to adapt his curveball to the shorter 54-foot distance between mound and home plate. In Germany, according to Gentner, players his age throw from Major League distances of 60-feet, 6-inches.
“When the game went on, I adapted more,” he said.
Meanwhile, the offense was taking care of business on its own.
High-powered offensive performances have been normal for the Germans. In five games in regional qualifying, Paderborn outscored its opponents, 70-2.
“They’ve beaten so many good teams along the way that you expect the talent level to be there,” Semple said.
Washington County starting pitcher Austin Abel lasted just 2/3 of an inning, allowing eight runs, seven earned, on four hits. He walked in two runs.
One run scored in the first inning when shortstop Talon Cain overthrew first base, allowing a run to score. An additional run scored when a ball was held at second base as a German runner broke home to score from third.
“That’s one thing in baseball you have to avoid: walks and free bases,” Semple said. “Situations like that one inning does kill you.”
From that point on, though Washington County performed better, the damage was done.
Michael Parrish replaced Abel, surrendering four earned runs off five hits, including two home runs, in 2 1/3 innings. Cain pitched two scoreless innings to finish things out for Washington.
Paderborn advances to face West Zone champion Maui, Hi. at noon today in a winner’s bracket game. Washington, meanwhile, will attempt to regroup and stay alive in the tournament in a loser’s bracket game against Bay County, Mich., the North Zone champion, which lost to Laredo, Texas, 5-4, Saturday.